Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester United: Anthony Elanga on target against former employers as Forest edge closer to Champions League berth | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest took another step towards Champions League qualification by claiming a 1-0 triumph over Manchester United at City Ground on Tuesday.

Just three days after a gruelling FA Cup quarter-final clash against Brighton & Hove Albion, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had another tricky assignment to navigate without leading scorer Chris Wood.

Bruno Fernandes produced United’s first effort of the contest with a long-range drive, which called Matz Sels into action.

From the resulting corner, Anthony Elanga went on a one-man counter-attack to strike against his former employers.

Fernandes forced Sels into another save shortly afterwards as United looked to hit back in double-quick time.

The visitors should have got themselves back on level terms in the 13th minute through Casemiro, who planted a header wide from close range.

Ruben Amorim’s side continued to dominate the ball possession without necessarily putting Sels under any real pressure.

Forest came close to doubling their advantage just before the interval as Morato forced Andre Onana into his first save of the afternoon.

Casemiro had one final bite at the cherry in the first half with a long-range effort that was well wide to conclude an underwhelming first half from United.

Brought on as a half-time substitute, Rasmus Hojlund had his side’s first effort of the second period within the opening 75 seconds to yield the half’s first corner, which came to nothing.

Having been on the back foot for the early exchanges of the restart, Forest started to grow into the contest and had their first crack at Onana’s goal via Morgan Gibbs-White.

Alejandro Garnacho had a flurry of opportunities midway through the second half but failed to make the most of them as United continued their quest for parity.

The hosts gradually retreated as the game progressed with the aim of holding on to their narrow advantage.

Harry Maguire was brought on as an emergency striker and was inches away from rescuing a point, only to be denied by a goalline clearance from Murillo with almost the last kick of the game.

Forest are now nine points clear of fifth-placed Manchester City, while United remain 13th in the Premier League table.